Below is an official press release from the SA Olive Industry Association about this year's awards:

SA Olive Awards - The 2017 Harvest Champions

By the SA Olive Industry Association

Despite a difficult harvest leading to a smaller olive harvest, SA producers have still succeeded in providing the panel of five esteemed judges with outstanding contenders for the gold, silver and bronze medals up for grabs in the 2017 SA Olive Awards. Led by international olive oil expert and sensory scientist, Sue Langstaff from California, the panel awarded a total of 19 gold (22%), 34 silver and 26 bronze medals.

“Out of the 87 extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) entered in categories for delicate, medium and intense, some 90% were deserving of a medal,” says Langstaff. “This compares well against similar competitions held in other countries – it means the producers have exercised a healthy measure of self-policing by entering mostly olive oils of high quality worthy of a medal.”

“The message to South African producers is that 90% of participating oils are worthy quality-wise, and local olive oil consumers can rest assured that buying medal-bearing oils from the 2017 harvest will not disappoint,” says SA Olive chairperson, Nick Wilkinson. “The competition also allows olive oil producers to ascertain what a gold medallist tastes like in terms of balance, complexity,harmony and freshness.”

SA Olive would like to thank Mori-Tem Oliomio and Pieralisi for their contribution in furthering the local olive oil industry through their sponsorship of the SA Olive Awards.